WCTR News

After 20 months of negotiations, Chesapeake College faculty members established their first ever union contract in school history. According to the Kent County News, it was announced that the Chesapeake College faculty — represented by United Academics of Maryland — voted to establish their first ever union contract, which includes wage increases, a service pathway to promotion and improvements to working conditions, benefits and protections. Chesapeake College professor David Timms, the new union chapter’s chair, called the decision a great move for staff and students.

The process to build a new restaurant and inn on the waterfront is moving forward. The Kent County News reports on March 4, before a packed room, the Chestertown Historic District Commission voted unanimously to approve the project’s construction, a step that still requires several additional approvals. The vote drew applause from attendees, reflecting enthusiasm in the room for a new waterfront restaurant at the site of the former 98 Cannon Riverside Grille. Architects representing the developer presented their plans to the commission. The presentation marked their second appearance before the panel. At a Jan. 12 meeting, they agreed to demolish the existing structure.

Carla Thorpe has been named the permanent health officer for Kent County, the first female in that role. According to the Evening Enterprise, she had been the acting health officer since Oct. 1, upon the retirement of William Webb.
Thorpe’s new position is effective March 4, according to a news release from the Kent County Health Department that was sent out Monday, March 9. A lifelong resident of the Kent County area, Thorpe has a dual bachelor’s degree in social work and health care administration, a master’s degree in health care administration and is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner.

A two-family home was destroyed and ten people were displaced after it was set on fire Sunday night, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. WBOC reports fire officials say the initial investigation revealed the fire was intentionally set to the outside of the home while people were inside. The house is located on Main Street in Chester. Officials estimate the damages to be around $130,000. It took 25 firefighters 20 minutes to control the fire, and Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department was the primary responder.

A driver was taken to the hospital after a single-vehicle crash with entrapment early Saturday morning in Queen Anne’s County, according to the Queen Anne-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company. WMDT reports emergency crews were dispatched around 5 a.m. Saturday to the intersection of Ruthsburg Road and Damsontown Road for a reported motor vehicle crash with entrapment. Initial reports indicated the lone occupant of the vehicle was unconscious and trapped inside. The driver, the only occupant of the vehicle, was removed from the wreckage and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities did not release the person’s condition.

The Talbot County Planning Commission voted recently to give an unfavorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals for a proposed four-bed assisted living facility at 29334 Dogwood View Drive. The application was filed by Westgate Assisted Living LLC, with operator Tanette Gibson and agent Lacy Gilbert seeking to convert a vacant home owned by Robert and Mae Kimball into a residential care facility charging between $6,000 and $6,500 a month. The Talbot Spy reports opponents raised concerns about the applicants’ connection to a separate recovery house on Burgess Court and questioned whether the business was properly registered in Maryland. The Kimballs said they would serve as landlords and have no direct role in operations.

Easton resident Marvin Foster has filed for the Talbot County Council. According to the Star Democrat,
Foster says that despite a lack of political experience, being a father of four and the founder of a youth football and cheer league on the Eastern Shore left him feeling inspired. Foster said that part of looking out for kids is looking out for their families, which is why he wants to dedicate his time to working with experts to “have a real plan to help possibly lower taxes to promote home ownership in the area.”

Regional and community banks remain more important than ever shared Rotary Club guest speaker President and CEO of Chesapeake Bank & Trust Company, Bob Altieri. The Kent County News reports this week, Alteri talked to Rotarians about the importance and state of those regional banks currently throughout the US. Altieri has been involved in banking since the late 80’s, starting a number of banks in areas around the country. Altieri grew up in the Pittsburgh area, went to Indiana University of Pennsylvania and began his career in 1986 with a mortgage company before helping create a new bank.

Recently, a traffic stop was initiated near the Matapeake School Complex. DFC Schultz was conducting speed enforcement in the area of Route 8 and Camp Wright Lane. A vehicle was observed on radar traveling 56 mph in a posted 40 mph zone. DFC Schultz followed the vehicle and initiated the stop in a posted school zone.
The driver was identified as James Brown, a 61-year old man from Stevensville. A probable cause search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun inside the center console, and a search of Brown located 88 Oxycodone pills in a clear plastic baggie, as well as CDS paraphernalia. Brown was placed under arrest at the scene.

An informational public meeting on a proposed solar generating facility in Caroline County will be held virtually from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The proposed project site encompasses about 163.84 acres at 26844 Hobbs Road in the Denton area of Caroline County. The Star Democrat reports the meeting concerns ICFTS MD Solar’s application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct a 4.6-megawatt solar photovoltaic generating facility at 26844 Hobbs Road. The application is filed with the Maryland Public Service Commission as Case No. 9835.